MMK will continue its alliance with DMK, says Jawahirullah

Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK) president M.H. Jawahirullah on Sunday clarified that the recent resolution passed by the party that it would contest on its “own symbol” was not out of the disappointment that it could not become part of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam Cabinet as it was widely speculated by certain sections of the media.

In the recent Assembly election, the party contested from two constituencies on the DMK’s ‘Rising Sun’ symbol.

In a statement, Mr. Jawahirullah said the alliance between the DMK and the MMK was rooted in a shared ideology.

“Even when several parties left the DMK alliance and contested separately under the banner of the ‘People’s Welfare Alliance’ [Makkal Nala Kootani], it was the MMK that remained firmly within the DMK alliance out of ideological conviction. Even though the MMK was not given an opportunity to contest in the 2019 and 2024 Parliamentary elections, MMK cadres worked tirelessly for the victory of the DMK alliance, considering the national political climate and for the success of the DMK alliance,” he said.

The party contested in the 2021 and 2026 Assembly elections on the DMK’s ‘Rising Sun’ symbol because of ground realities and political circumstances. As the Election Commission cancelled the registration of parties that continuously failed to contest on their own symbols, the MMK’s registration was also cancelled.

“A related case is pending before the Madras High Court. Under these circumstances, it has become essential for us to contest on our own symbol to restore the party’s registration. This alone was passed as the fifth resolution of the high-level committee meeting held on May 19 and 20, 2026,” he said, adding that this resolution alone was taken out of context.

“It has been falsely portrayed that the resolution was passed out of disappointment that, had we contested under our own symbol, we might have secured ministerial positions in the newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government,” he said. From the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act, to the agitations opposing the Waqf Amendment Act, and up to the Thiruparankundram issue, the DMK stood emotionally and firmly in the field, Professor Jawahirullah noted, adding that the MMK would continue to work with the DMK to protect the interests of Tamil Nadu.